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affect prices such as costs, discounts, terms of sale, distribution, volume of production,
profit margins, territories, or customers.
3. Don't make announcements or statements at AOAC functions, outside leased exhibit
space, about your own prices or those of competitors.
4. Don't disclose to others at meetings or otherwise any competitively sensitive information.
5. Don't attempt to use the Association to restrict the economic activities of any firm or any
individual.
6. Don't stay at a meeting where any such price or anti-competitive talk occurs.
7. Do conduct all AOAC business meetings in accordance with AOAC rules. These rules
require that an AOAC staff member be present or available, the meeting be conducted by
a knowledgeable chair, the agenda be followed, and minutes be kept.
8. Do confer with counsel before raising any topic or making any statement with competitive
ramifications.
9. Do send copies of meeting minutes and all AOAC-related correspondence to the staff
member involved in the activity.
10. Do alert the AOAC staff to any inaccuracies in proposed or existing methods and
statements issued, or to be issued, by AOAC and to any conduct not in conformance with
these guidelines.
Conclusion
Compliance with these guidelines involves not only avoidance of antitrust violations, but avoidance of any
behavior which might be so construed. Bear in mind, however, that the above antitrust laws are stated in
general terms, and that this statement is not a summary of applicable laws. It is intended only to highlight
and emphasize the principal antitrust standards which are relevant to AOAC programs. You must,
therefore, seek the guidance of either AOAC counsel or your own counsel if antitrust questions arise.
Adopted by the AOAC Board of Directors: September 24, 1989
Revised: March 11, 1991
Revised October 1996